Improving a rifle's accuracy?

[TAM]

Ok, I am no gunsmith by any strech, but I am trying to improve the accuracy of my Weatherby 270 mag. ###I got this gun for it's flat shooting ability, but it's accuracy has not impressed me yet. ###I have had a trigger job, had the barrel free floated, and glass bedded the stock. ###What other options do I have to tighten up the groups? ###I have a nice scope, I know that user error is always a factor, and I am also aware that loading my own ammo can help, but what else can be done to the rifle itself to improve its accuracy?

I have been told to Crown the barrel, Cryo the barrel, and to lap the bolt. ###Will any of these help? ###Are there any other options?

My 100 yard groups have been:

140 grain NBT factory Weatherby ammo - 4-5 inches with 20 rounds
130 grain Barnes molly coated XLC Custom loads - 6-8 inches with 20 rounds
100 grain Hornady factory Weatherby ammo - 3.25 inches with 20 rounds

I'd like/hope that this gun could shoot 1 inch or less groups at 100 yards.

Just to give some perspective I have a model 700 Remington .30-.06 that I can shoot .75 inch 100 yard groups with 5 rounds hornady ammo, and all I'v done to the gun is a trigger job and float the barrel.

Should I be looking at the gun or the ammo? Any suggestions? Thanks.

[MarinePMI]

TAM,

First off, welcome to Jesse's...

Now for your question. ###We need to know what the groups look like to help diagnose the problem. ###When you say 4-6" groups, do you mean a perfect circle? ###Or do they string up and down, or side to side? ###Without knowing much of the problem I can say a crown job is usually the quickest (and most likely) fix to the problem. ###Take a q-tip and lightly pass it around the muzzle. ###This will allow you to see if there are any burrs and such (if cotton gets caught on them).

Who did the bedding? ###Who floated the barrel? ###Just curious.

What type of rings? ###What type of base? ###Have you cleaned the barrel properly with a copper solvent? ### ###What do the spent casings look like? ###Smokey around the neck? Any noticeable bulges or irregularities? ###What do the bolt lugs appear like? ###Are they worn on both lugs? ###The same amount of wear? ###What type of action are we dealing with here? ###A Wheatherby?

If you can post some of this info I'm sure we'd be able to help you out. ###Maybe save you some heartache and pocket change, eh?

[TAM]

Marine, let me try and answer some of your questions. ###First of all it is a brand new rifle with a total of 80 rounds through it. ###It is the Weatherby Mark V stainless in 270 wby mag. ###I had a trigger job, floated the barrel and glass bedded the stock. ###All work done by Guns Etc. in Mesa Arizona.

The groups I shot this past weekend were about 3.25 inches from left to right by about 3.5 inches up and down. and I only shoot 5 rounds in a 20 minute period to allow the barrel to cool.

I have Leopuld rings & bases that were professionally installed. ###I clean the rifle w/ copper solvent every time I shoot it. ###My first shot is usually a flyer but the rest seem to group up. ###The spent casings do not seem to have any irregularities. ###I think that answers most of your questions. ###Any help or ideas would be appreciated. ###I will try the Q-tip trick tonight when I get home.

[MarinePMI]

TAM,

Well! ###Since this is a brand new rifle my advice comes down to two decisions you need to make.

1. ###Get the barrel recrowned and see what happens.

2. ###(And if this was me, this is what I'd do) Box that turd up and send it back to Weatherby! ###Have them resolve the issue. ###You bought a new rifle from them, expecting it to shoot decent (or better for that kind of money) so they should be given a chance to remedy the situation. ###I've never dealt with them, but I have heard that they are customer oriented, and will work with you to resolve the issue.

There's no way a factory rifle should be considered acceptable when it's shooting 3.5" groups @100yds. ###Just my opinion...

Let us know what you decide and what happens. ###I'm sure everyone would be interested to hear the results.

[TAM]

Marine your advise is well taken.

There are a couple of options I think I will take at this point before sending the rifle back. ###First off a friend has offered to help me hand load some rounds. ###We will try to develop a load that shoots well with this gun. ###If we can not get an improvement I will call Weatherby. ###If we see improvement I will proceed with recrowning the barrel and possibly have the bolt lapped. ###Cross your fingers! ###I know all guns are different but this one just seems to be down right stubborn.

[songdog]

I'm assuming that Weatherby still has their 1.5" accuracy guarantee that made them famous years ago? ###Just make sure it's not the scope and/or mounting before you send it back to Weatherby complaining about their rifle... that can result in the not so pleasant taste of crow.